Rare Etruscan Bronze Boss Lion w/ Ring in Mouth

Rare Etruscan Bronze Boss Lion w/ Ring in Mouth

**Originally Listed At $5000**

Northern Italy, Etruscan, ca. 6th to 5th century BCE. Finely cast via the lost wax (cire perdue) technique, a leaded bronze boss adorned with a leonine visage in repousse with a ring in its mouth. The lion presents with large, almond-shaped eyes, a prominent nose, cup-shaped ears, a mouth that is delineated with revealed teeth, fangs, and tongue, a separately cast ring fitted through either side of the lion’s mouth, and a finely delineated wavy mane. Framing the wild feline is a raised rope-patterned border followed by a register of equidistantly placed ribs in bas relief, and finally, a rounded edge. A stupendous example with well-preserved details. Size: 8.125″ W x 8″ H (20.6 cm x 20.3 cm); 8.125″ H (20.6 cm) on included custom stand.

This piece was collected by Paul Suttman, acquired by Suttman in the 1960’s when he lived in Italy as a fellow of the American Academy of Rome. A three time recipient of the prestigious Prix de Rome, Paul Suttman (1933-1993) was an internationally known American sculptor who produced many impressionistic figurative works in bronze. Mr. Suttman’s work is represented in the Museum of Modern Art, the Morgan Library, the University of Michigan Museum of Art, and the Hirschhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington D.C. More information on Suttman can be found in his New York Times obituary.